Eating disorders are among the deadliest—but treatable—mental health conditions, impacting millions of Americans of all ages and communities at some point in their lives. They affect how people think about body image, food, and self-worth. Approximately 22 percent of children and adolescents across all genders, body sizes, and identities struggle with disordered eating.
Because families often have busy schedules, a child's eating disorder symptoms can be misunderstood or go unnoticed. Many physicians are not trained to recognize eating disorders, which can delay or postpone a diagnosis. Behavioral and emotional signs may be subtle at first and may include changes in eating patterns and appetite, an obsessive focus on food, body, and/or weight size, or missing food containers and empty wrappers, whether hidden or in plain sight.
Early recognition and intervention are key. The sooner signs are recognized and addressed, the better the chances for recovery. This article explores what every parent should know about eating disorders so they can support their child with compassion and patience.
Breaking the Stereotype
Eating disorders may not look like you'd expect. They can affect people of all shapes, sizes, and ages—from as young as five to as old as 105. The stereotype of the thin, white, adolescent girl is misleading. In fact, only about six percent of people with eating disorders appear visibly underweight
They also affect all genders, including boys. Males body image concerns may differ from females. In particular, males often focus on muscularity, which can drive unique behaviors and challenges.
Impact on LGBTQIA+ Youth
LGBTQIA+ adolescents experience higher rates of eating disorders and disordered eating behaviors than their heterosexual and cisgender counterparts. Nearly nine in ten LGBTQIA+ youth reported being dissatisfied with their bodies. This population is at increased risk for developing eating disorders and is less likely to be screened or access care.
The Healthcare Barrier
Doctors, including pediatricians, typically receive very little training on eating disorders, often less than four hours during medical school. It's no surprise they aren't well prepared to recognize that an eating disorder may be present, screen, and refer for care.
Weight bias and stigma further hinder proper recognition and treatment. Providers are trained extensively in weight loss, yet receive nearly zero training to identify eating disorder behaviors that can contribute to weight change.
The Importance of Treatment
Only about 30 percent of people with an eating disorder ever get treatment due to a lack of awareness, misinformation, stigma, and lack of available care.
So, while parents may worry about their child missing school, extracurricular activities, or disrupting routines, the importance of treatment should not be overlooked. Early intervention is critical, even if starting treatment feels like a disruption. Concerns about academics, activities, or social reputation are understandable, but addressing the eating disorder promptly gives children the best chance to thrive.
Recovery Is a Family Journey
Families play a critical role in a child's recovery from an eating disorder. Through Family-Based Treatment (FBT), families and caregivers can take an active role in recovery and in their own healing as well. Research shows that outcomes improve when parents, partners, siblings, and loved ones are engaged in treatment.
How to support your child in treatment:
- Help them settle into their new treatment schedule
- Collaborate with your child's treatment team
- Be there for them and listen
- Ask them what they want or need
Long-term, family support remains a cornerstone—offering encouragement, structure, and accountability as recovery continues. Families should stay engaged in therapy, celebrate progress, and remember recovery is not linear.
When someone you love struggles with an eating disorder, the entire family is affected. By approaching the conversation with your child without judgment, parents may not hear the typical response of, "I'm fine!" By offering support and emphasizing concern for their child's health, the family can collaborate on a plan to get professional help. Eating disorder recovery takes time, practice, patience, and support. It is not a one-size-fits-all treatment but rather requires specialist care tailored to each child.
Dr. Jillian Lampert (she/her) is the Vice President of Strategy and Public Affairs for Accanto Health, the parent company of The Emily Program and Gather Behavioral Health. She oversees corporate communication and strategy, public affairs, and public relations activities, including cultivating and maintaining industry relations, leading organizational advocacy and policy involvement, supporting public relations highlighting the organization's role as an industry thought leader, and spearheading the availability of key educational content available to the public and external providers.
